Is feeding long screws giving your production line a headache? Well DEPRAG has the answer and you can see the solution first hand at October’s MOTEK show in Stuttgart…
DEPRAG has come up with a step feeder system, eacy step feed, which enables the efficient, intelligent and technically clean feeding of even longer screws.
The complete system, comprising a storage container, material-handling technology, linear conveyor, separator, housing and controller – specially designed for longer screws – offers hassle-free, reliable operation with 24V technology, independent from mains voltage and mains frequency, the firm said. The DEPRAG step feeder system combines all the advantages of a step feeder with the energy-efficiency of DEPRAG’s vibration and regulating technology.
The eacy step feed will be among the products showcased by the machine building company at international trade fair MOTEK, for automation in production and assembly. Running 7-10 October in Stuttgart, DEPRAG will be setting up stall in hall 5 on stand 5302 and focusing on the timely supply of parts and fasteners for assembly.
[gallery columns="2" ids="13423,13424"]
EACY GOING
DEPRAG goes into the details of the eacy step feed: “The feed material is quietly fed in stages over linear feed plates from the storage container towards the feed rails. A brushless electric motor, controlled by the smart energy-efficient DEPRAG eacy feed PFC100 controller, is used to drive the feed plates. The directly adjustable feed rate supports gentle part feeding. “The integrated sequence controller PFC100 regulates the complete feeding process for -EP and 11911-x designs used in combination with handheld screwdrivers. Each new cycle is triggered via a start impulse. This significantly reduces integration in higher-level system controllers. As an alternative, the system can also be controlled via an external PLC/IPC controller. Direct integration in IPC environments is also an option with the PFCi100.
“The feed material is geometrically aligned in the feed rails. A linear conveyor then transports the feed parts towards the separator. Fill level sensors in the storage container and the feed rails measure and regulate the feed rate. In the separator feed material is separated and pre-positioned to be the shot through the feed hose or for pick-up using vacuum tool or gripper.”
The feeding system is gentle on the items it handles and vibration is only used in the vicinity of the linear feed rails. A brushless electric motor is used as the drive for the feed plates ensuring a calm, gentle motion and the feed rate can even be directly controlled via the smart, energy-efficient DEPRAG eacy feed controller.
Thanks to gentle part handling and low-friction feeding, particle build-up is kept to a minimum but there are also options to add vacuum suction equipment to boost technical cleanliness at certain interface points. The DEPRAG CleanFeed concept is also available for each processing step of the eacy step feed system – from component handling and feeding to fastening – prevent, reduce and remove abrasion.
The step feeder can be combined with DEPRAG storage systems, which work to ensure a constant fill volume and extended re-load intervals. Eacy step feed is also compatible with DEPRAG’s other automation components, such as the DEPRAG Feed Module DFM, the DEPRAG screwdriving function modules and DCOS, the DEPRAG Controller System.
Product Manager Daniel Guttenberger says: “The high feed rate, long life-span and compact size – specifically for longer feed parts – provides an alternative to vibratory spiral feeders and sword feeders.”
MOTEK visitors will also be able to catch The future of screwdriving technology at 10am and 14pm daily at the DEPRAG exhibition stand.
DEPRAG opened a substantial €3.4 million facility in the Czech Republic last month.
